A Look at Online Job Interviews

 The job market today is more competitive than ever and with good reason. These are tough economic times we’re living in and there are a lot of people out of work and looking for gainful employment. That said, it’s more important than ever before that you understand the ins and outs of acing the different types of job interviews that are becoming more and more prevalent with each passing day.

One of the fastest growing interview types is, without a doubt, the online interview. Online interviews save companies looking to inject new blood into their ranks a fortune in time, money, and convenience; so, if you haven’t yet been asked to participate in one, prepare yourself. Your time is coming! Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common types of online job interviews you may encounter in the near future and discuss how you can prepare for them.

Job Interview via Webcam

Probably the most common type of online job interview is conducted via webcam. Webcam job interviews come attached with many of the same advantages face-to-face interviews offer, including the ability to see a potential employee “in person”, observe body language, get a feel for who they are as a person, and so forth. However, they eliminate the inconvenience of having a given candidate travel to a physical location.

Preparing for a webcam interview is pretty much exactly the same as preparing for a standard interview without the inconvenience of trying to factor in traffic and travel time. Some companies will send potential interview candidates a webcam to use for the interview. However, others will expect you to have your own available to work with.

Other Online Interviewing Techniques

Although most interviewers do prefer to do a face-to-face, real-time interviews via webcam, there are other techniques that are also relatively prevalent. Some potential employers will use third party interfaces, like Spark Hire, that are known for providing various interview options. Others may decide to e-mail you your interview questions and ask you to record a video of yourself answering them.

Preparing for Online Job Interviews

Preparing to appear on camera for an online video interview is a lot like preparing for a standard interview in an office somewhere. Keep the following tips in mind to make sure you make the right impression :

• Be sure to dress professionally, just as you would for a standard interview. Also make sure to clean up and organize the space where you’ll be appearing on cam.

• Take the time to make sure you have a quiet room to do your interview where you won’t be disturbed or interrupted by pets, children, roommates, and so forth.

• Be prepared with a copy of your resume at the ready in case you are asked to refer to it at any time during the interview. It also pays to have a pen and paper close at hand to jot down anything your interviewer asks you to remember, such as a name, date, address, or phone number.

At the end of the day, online job interviews are a snap to prepare for. All you need to do is prepare properly in advance.